The Day Jack Dempsey’s Sparring Partner Shot His Mouth Off

George “The Leiperville Shadow” Godfrey had a 99-21-2 with 81 ko’s from 1919 to 1937. He was from Leiperville, PA, though born in Mobile, Alabama in 1897.

Godfrey fought the legendary Sam “Boston Tar Baby” Langford, to a draw and went onto lose three straight to him. Jack Dempsey once said “I only ducked one fighter and that was Sam Langford!” 178-29-39 was Langford’s final record.

Godfrey defeated Fred Fulton, 83-17-5, lost to future world champion Jack Sharkey, defeated Bearcat Wright 56-16-13 for the “Black American Title”. Won the World Colored title knocking out KO Roy Clark, 6-18-2, beat Chuck Wiggins, 114-54-24, L DQ5 Primo Carnera, 33-2, before 40,000 at Philadelphia Shibe Park. He lost the Colored Title to Obie Walker, 43-3-4.

One day sparring with World Champion Jack Dempsey Godfrey had an exceptional day and told one of Dempsey’s friend how he “got over on Dempsey today!”

When Dempsey heard about it guess what happened the next time they sparred? You got it, Dempsey knocked Godfrey out with the big gloves.